12.07.2006 – 14:08

Atmel Corporation

Atmel Launches Small LF RF IDIC With Unique ID for Access Control Applications

Heilbronn, Germany (ots/PRNewswire)

- Optimized for Next-Generation ISO Cards and Key Fobs

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), a global leader in the
development  and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions,
announced today the  availability of its ATA5567 small-sized 330-bit
read/write transponder  IDIC(R) with unique ID, which is optimized
for next-generation access-control  ISO cards and key fobs as used in
access control systems (hotel rooms,  engineering departments and
offices, time recording systems, parking lots)  and as membership
cards. Since the device uses low frequency (LF), it can be  used
worldwide; it is insensitive to rugged environments and can also be
used  in less-than-ideal conditions (wet, dirty, shielded by metal,
out of sight,  or worn on the body) which normally complicate the use
of RFID devices.

The ATA5567 is extremely small. Including an optional 75-pF
on-chip capacitor, it measures less than 1 square millimeter, smaller
than most of the available read/write products on the market,
allowing it to be used in almost any transponder package.

As the ATA5567's reset behavior fits perfectly to the reader
devices available on the access control market, the IC is well-suited
for next-generation ISO cards and key fobs. Furthermore, the IDIC
provides a manufacturer-programmed unique ID that guarantees the end
customer the singularity of this product, to prevent unauthorized
access to secured areas. Also, the unique ID enables the
retraceability of the product in case of problems with illegal
duplicates or counterfeiting.

The transponder IC is designed for passive identification systems
with a 120-kHz to 150-kHz magnetic field. It supports different
modulations/codings and has an on-chip binary bit-rate generator.
These features, plus the implemented 64-bit unique TagID (also called
traceability data), enable the customer to address the well-known
ISO11784/11785 FDX-B standard. In spite of being an animal-ID
standard, this standard is used by a broad range of access control
systems.

The ATA5567 IDIC is backward compatible and can replace Atmel's
well-known T5557 in several applications.

Samples are available now in wafer, micromodule form, or SO8
package. Pricing for the ATA5567 as wafer shipment with quantities of
15k pieces starts at US $ 0.34. To support the system designer, Atmel
provides the design kit ATAK2270 with evaluation software.

Footnote
    ID = IDentification
    IDIC = IDentification IC (Atmel patented term)
    LF = Low Frequency

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere
You Are(R).

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, IDIC(R), Everywhere
You Are(R) and others are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and product names
may be trademarks of others.

Information

Product information on Atmel's new RF IDIC ATA5567 may be
retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3923

    Press Contacts
    Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
    Products
    Phone: +49-7131-67-2081, Email:  susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com
    Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific
    Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email:  hperlegos@atmel.com
    Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe
    Phone: +33-1-30-60-70-68, Fax: +49-7131-67-2423,
    Email:  veronique.sablereau@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

Contact:

Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products, +49-7131-67-2081, or susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com, or
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific,
+1-408-487-2963, or hperlegos@atmel.com, or Veronique Sablereau,
Corporate Communications Manager - Europe, +33-1-30-60-70-68, or
fax, +49-7131-67-2423, or
veronique.sablereau@atmel.com